Prabowo Meets Putin, Prof Henry: Balancing Diplomacy for Indonesia's Energy

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto made a working visit to Moscow, Russia, on Monday, April 13, 2026, to meet President Vladimir Putin. The meeting discussed the partnership of both countries, particularly in the energy sector and other priority areas.

The visit also reflects Indonesia’s active diplomatic efforts to build mutually beneficial partnerships with friendly nations. The Indonesian government views Russia as a key partner in supporting global stability and economic growth.During his brief visit to the Kremlin, Prabowo was accompanied by Foreign Minister Sugiono, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.

The main focus of the meeting was ensuring long-term crude oil supply security, exploring potential cooperation in domestic oil refinery development, and examining opportunities in renewable energy technology. This policy is part of Indonesia’s strategy to diversify its energy sources in anticipation of global market uncertainties. The visit comes amid rising global oil prices due to conflict in the Middle East.

Foreign Minister Sugiono stated that the oil sector, which is considered strategically important for Indonesia, would be one of the main agendas of the meeting. Previously, Prabowo had underscored that his overseas visits were aimed at securing national energy needs. “To all of you, this is to secure oil. I have to travel everywhere,” he said during a cabinet meeting last week. Prabowo also visited South Korea and Japan in March and early April.

Meanwhile, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, confirmed that the government is aligning domestic energy needs with potential strategic cooperation with Russia. According to him, this step aims to maintain stable energy prices for the public.

“We are pursuing mutually beneficial cooperation schemes, particularly in crude oil and gas imports to meet national strategic reserve needs,” Minister Bahlil conveyed.

In response to this, Public Policy Observer, Prof. Dr. Henry Indraguna,M.H. stated that the diplomacy represents a form of Indonesia’s political sovereignty. According to him, the policy demonstrates Indonesia’s commitment to remaining active, constructive, and oriented toward national interests on the global stage.

In addition, Prof. Henry referred to the ideas of French philosopher Michel Foucault on power relations, noting that energy is a crucial instrument in the structure of state power. “Indonesia is bold enough to maneuver for its national interest as the world becomes multipolar,” he told the media in Jakarta on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.

He mentioned that Prabowo’s maneuver is important and strategic to safeguard national interests without being tied to any single hegemonic power or economic alliance. Therefore, he said, the diplomacy is appropriate as it demonstrates a balance of power.

“In modern political logic, control over resources is a way to assert our existence amid increasingly fluid and competitive global geopolitical pressures,” the public policy observer explained.

Additionally, from an international law perspective, Prof. Henry, a Doctor of Law from Surakarta State University, also analysed that diplomacy must adhere to the principle of “Pacta sunt servanda” while considering the dynamics of global sanctions. “Cooperation requires careful alignment between national interests and compliance with international law to avoid triggering economic isolation. The government must be precise in drafting contract clauses,” he affirmed.

This carefulness, he conveyed, is necessary to avoid being trapped in the complexity of international sanctions currently affecting Russia. He also expressed support for the diplomacy as long as the principle of legal certainty remains the main foundation.

“Because international law should serve as a means to achieve peace and prosperity, not as an instrument that hinders a nation’s economic sovereignty,” Prof. Henry stated.